Current Christmas Trees Weather Drought, But Seedlings Take It Hard

This year's drought and heat wave covered a huge section of the country, including many big Christmas tree growing areas. Rick Dungey, with the National Christmas Tree Growers Association, says consumers won't notice anything this season. He says trees older than around three years will have done OK, it's the seedlings that have struggled and caused problems for producers.

"Because they don't have an established root system they're more susceptible, they're not as hardy. That increases my expenses cause I gotta buy more seedlings the following year."

He says trees still in the ground likely didn't grow as much this year, but could make up for it if rains return to normal next season.